Robinson R22 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 520 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

520

All Events

278

Incidents

72

Minor

47

Serious

112

Fatal (157 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 21, 2009 Del Ray Beach, FL N2306T Minor substantial An in-flight failure of the main drive vee belts.
Mar 10, 2009 Midland, TX N456PH Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a pole.
Oct 16, 2008 Dryden, NY N943MH Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
Sep 24, 2008 Flagstaff, AZ N926EL Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in a high density altitude high gross weight condition that exceeded the takeoff performance capability of t…

The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in a high density altitude high gross weight condition that exceeded the takeoff performance capability of the helicopter. The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm was also causal. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and the uneven high elevation terrain.

Sep 11, 2008 Prescott, AZ N227GH Minor substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action.
Aug 05, 2008 Buffalo, ND N57UP Incident substantial The pilot's excessive descent rate and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain during the spray run entry.
Jul 25, 2008 Rosharon, TX N2330Y Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.
May 31, 2008 Salt Lake City, UT N268SH Incident substantial
The student's improper use of the anti torque pedals during a practice hover autorotation, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over. Additional c…

The student's improper use of the anti torque pedals during a practice hover autorotation, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over. Additional causes of the accident were the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the maneuver and delayed remedial action.

May 02, 2008 Prescott, AZ N331MD Serious (1) substantial The instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action that resulted in ground contact and a rollover.
Mar 18, 2008 Las Vegas, NM N3055N Incident substantial
An inadvertent settling with power, and the instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to t…

An inadvertent settling with power, and the instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the downdraft.

Mar 15, 2008 Horseshoe Bay, TX N489TJ Minor substantial The certified flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action which resulted in an unsuccessful autorotation.
Mar 13, 2008 Wilmington, NC N2215R Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain proper rotor rpm after a partial loss of engine power.
Feb 08, 2008 Houston, TX N2364B Incident substantial The student pilot's improper use of the collective and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Jan 08, 2008 North Palm Bch, FL N179SH Serious (1) substantial A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Dec 21, 2007 Pueblo, CO N844SH Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing.
Dec 04, 2007 Fresno, CA N805EH Incident Failure of the tail rotor system support bracket during landing.
Nov 24, 2007 Suffolk, VA N442FA Incident substantial
The V-drive belts' rolling off the sheaves for undetermined reasons, resulting in a loss of power to the rotor system, and the pilot's failure to main…

The V-drive belts' rolling off the sheaves for undetermined reasons, resulting in a loss of power to the rotor system, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the autorotation, resulting in a hard landing.

Nov 20, 2007 Ramona, CA N463SH Serious (1) substantial
An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in t…

An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.

Nov 03, 2007 Parma, ID N3189Z Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper use of the flight controls while performing a hovering autorotation and the flight instructor's excessive remedial action…

The student pilot's improper use of the flight controls while performing a hovering autorotation and the flight instructor's excessive remedial action which resulted in a hard landing.

Oct 24, 2007 Long Beach, CA N7188S Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper execution of low rotor rpm procedures. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, …

The student pilot's improper execution of low rotor rpm procedures. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, failure to guard the throttle, and failure to take immediate remedial action.

Sep 14, 2007 El Monte, CA N877HF Incident substantial
a failure of the main rotor drive system V-belts due to damage sustained when the alternator drive belt failed and pieces of that belt got between the…

a failure of the main rotor drive system V-belts due to damage sustained when the alternator drive belt failed and pieces of that belt got between the main drive belts and their associated pulleys. A contributing factor was the uneven terrain encountered in the forced landing.

Sep 14, 2007 Oakland, CA N132SH Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind conditions and to maintain directional control.
Aug 10, 2007 Chino, CA N10QD Incident substantial
The private pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and main rotor rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and subsequent hard landing. …

The private pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and main rotor rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and subsequent hard landing. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Jul 24, 2007 Boise, ID N147SH Minor substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm resulting in an excessive descent rate and a hard landing. Factors in the accident were the student…

The student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm resulting in an excessive descent rate and a hard landing. Factors in the accident were the student's failure to relinquish the controls, and the CFI's inadequate supervision.

Jul 22, 2007 San Salvador, ES HR-ASO Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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